Standard Lemma guide

obviation

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˌɒbviˈeɪʃən/

1

noun

Meaning 1

The act of obviating; deterrence or prevention.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

the act of preventing something by anticipating and disposing of it effectively

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: forestalling, preclusion

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: prevention, bar

History

Etymology

From Middle English obviacioun, from Medieval Latin obviātiō.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: omzeiling — deterrence or prevention
  • Greek: πρόληψη (prólipsi) — deterrence or prevention